So far, users are currently five times less likely to be running Windows 8 as they were Windows 7 at the same point before its launch. The new statistics come from research firm Net Applications and indicate a lukewarm reception of the Windows 8 operating system by consumers.

Windows 7 was a follow-up to Windows Vista, which was one of the more maligned versions of Microsoft's operating system in recent years. Windows 7 lured many upgraders not only from Vista, but from the older XP operating system as well. Windows 8 doesn't have the luxury of following an unloved version of Windows like Windows 7.

The statistics offered by Net Applications only count computer users who installed preview versions of Windows 8 and preview versions of Windows 7. The statistics are believed to provide a clear indication of consumer interest in the operating system rather than a desire or need for new computer hardware.

In September, only 0.33% of all computers using Windows relied on Windows 8. That works out to 33 out of every 10,000 Windows machines using Windows 8. By the end of September 2009, with very similar time remaining before the launch of Windows 7, the operating system accounted for 1.64% of all Windows PCs working out to 164 out of every 10,000 units.

Analysts are beginning to believe that Microsoft won't see the uptick in OS sales that it hoped for with Windows 8. Gartner recently advised clients that it predicts the operating system would top out at only 20 to 25% share in the corporate environment.

Windows 8 = failure.Finally, MS has found a way to make a pirate-proof version of Windows! I'm about to do my next build, after 3 years of my current Win7/Core2 setup. I could do the $40 upgrade licence using my old retail XP... but since I have Win8 on a notebook I still can't find much of anything to like about it. My only option is the $140 Win7Pro OEM.

Boot up times.. yeah, they are super-fast, but so what? I'm at 15s with Win7 using an SSD. I rarely every reboot the PC. Sleep mode works. The new Task manager, Explorer, file-copy/delete windows are very very nice. I *REALLY* want them... but.

I hate metro, I hate the charms bar, I hate the useless Start Screen (if Start Menu was so un-used, why make a full-screen version of it?!) with it useless tiles. Hey, if you are on your start screen where is your battery, clock and other info... oh yeah, its on the log-off screen or desktop. really good... not. And on top of that, MS made the Desktop as UGLY and bland as possible. 1987 era skin-job.

Win8 = not worth $1.

Now... how long before someone makes a Win8 style "copy progress window"? There is already a way to add the UP button for explorer...

I purchased 4 copies of the retail edition of Windows 7 Ultimate off Amazon recently for around $1000 which should allow me to completely avoid Windows 8 all together and upgrade my PCs as many times as I need to while keeping everything legal...